DARPA chief leaving for Google job

Google has confirmed that Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency chief Regina Dugan is taking a yet-to-be-revealed role at the Internet powerhouse.

"Regina is a technical pioneer who brought the future of technology to the military during her time at DARPA," Google said in a released statement.

"She will be a real asset to Google and we are thrilled she is joining the team."

Dugan was known for promoting entrepreneurial thinking in her three years running DARPA.

At the prestigious TED conference in California two weeks ago Dugan touted DARPA inventions such as remote-controlled humming bird drones and hypersonic flight while urging innovators to shun fear of failure.

"There was a time in your life when you believed in impossible things and were fearless," she said, referring to idyllic childhood years.

"You were completely and utterly in touch with your inner superhero," she said. "Scientists can change the world."

Google is among the major sponsors of TED's annual gathering in California.